Neuroscience Team Helps Her Rare and Disabling Condition

When Dulima Carrillo began experiencing unusual symptoms—fatigue, double vision and weakness—she had no idea she was facing a rare and potentially disabling neurological condition.

Within weeks, the 57-year-old Colombian native and former airline contractor employee would lose the ability to walk independently. But thanks to rapid diagnosis and collaborative care at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, Ms. Carrillo is now back on her feet—and back to living her life.

A Sudden and Life-Altering Illness

Ms. Carrillo’s symptoms began while she was living in North Carolina and escalated rapidly. What began as fatigue and visual changes progressed to significant neurological decline.

By the time she arrived in Miami to be closer to family—and to seek care at Baptist Health—her condition was critical. She was unable to walk and had significant visual impairment.

“Ms. Carrillo was in a really bad shape,” recalls neurologist Luis Compres-Brugal, M.D., director of the neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis program at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. “She was pretty disabled from her symptoms, which included weakness and ocular symptoms.”

Understanding Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)

Ms. Carrillo was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, primarily targeting the optic nerves and spinal cord. Though it shares similarities with multiple sclerosis (MS), NMO is distinct—and often more severe.

With NMO, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, leading to inflammation that can cause vision loss, paralysis and other serious neurological symptoms, says Dr. Compres-Brugal.

While exact prevalence varies, NMO is considered rare, affecting only a small number of people compared to MS. However, its impact can be profound if not diagnosed and treated early.

Common symptoms of NMO may include:

• Sudden vision loss or eye pain
• Double vision or visual disturbances
• Weakness or paralysis in the limbs
• Difficulty walking
• Severe fatigue

“Patients with NMO can become very disabled quickly,” Dr. Compres-Brugal says. “Sometimes they cannot even walk because of the severity of the disease.”

The Power of Collaboration

From the beginning, Ms. Carrillo’s care required a multidisciplinary approach, according to Dr. Compres-Brugal. He led the neurological evaluation and treatment strategy while his colleague Maria Vera Silva, M.D., a neuro-ophthalmologist at the Institute, focused on the impact of the disease on Ms. Carrillo’s eyes and visual system.

Working together, the two physicians confirmed the diagnosis and quickly aligned on a treatment plan tailored to Ms. Carrillo’s condition.

According to Dr. Vera Silva, NMO frequently presents with optic neuritis—an inflammation of the optic nerve that can lead to severe vision loss.

“Vision loss in NMO can be severe and less predictable than in multiple sclerosis,” she explains. “That’s why early evaluation by a neuro-ophthalmologist is so important. With this disease, prompt diagnosis and treatment are key to improving outcomes.”

Starting Treatment Without Delay

Because NMO can progress rapidly, timing is critical. The team moved quickly—coordinating lab work, vaccinations and insurance approvals while Ms. Carrillo was still hospitalized—to ensure there were no delays in starting treatment.

After reviewing her case and consulting with her family, Dr. Compres-Brugal recommended starting a targeted therapy of inebilizumab (Uplizna), a monoclonal antibody drug administered by infusion every six months.

“It works by targeting specific immune cells involved in the disease, helping reduce relapses and prevent permanent disability such as vision loss or paralysis,” says Dr. Compres-Brugal. “It’s one of the most effective therapies that we have today for treating NMO.”

A Remarkable Recovery

Ms. Carrillo’s turnaround has been extraordinary. After months of intensive treatment, physical rehabilitation and ongoing care, she has regained her independence—walking again without a cane and resuming many of her daily activities.

Today, Ms. Carrillo continues to follow up regularly with both physicians as part of a coordinated care plan designed to keep her stable and prevent relapses. Her case highlights what’s possible when NMO is diagnosed early and treated aggressively.

“Her recovery has been excellent,” says Dr. Vera Silva. “With the right treatment and follow-up, patients with NMO can return to their baseline and maintain a good quality of life.”

A New Perspective on Life

For Ms. Carrillo, the experience has been life-changing—not just physically, but emotionally. Once a fast-paced, multitasking professional, she now approaches life differently, focusing on her health, mindfulness and time with her family. She has regained the ability to cook, read and travel—simple activities that once seemed uncertain.

She remains deeply appreciative of the care she received at Miami Neuroscience Institute. “I was in a wheelchair, and now I can walk again and do things on my own,” Ms. Carrillo says, her happiness and relief showing on her face. “I’m so grateful—this experience taught me to slow down, listen to my body and enjoy life.”

Expertise in Rare Neurological Conditions

At Miami Neuroscience Institute, patients like Ms. Carrillo benefit from highly specialized expertise and a team-based approach to complex neurological disorders, says Dr. Vera Silva. “NMO may be rare, but with advances in targeted therapies and coordinated care, outcomes have improved significantly.”

Conditions like NMO require close collaboration, she adds. “When neurologists and neuro-ophthalmologists work together, we can provide more precise care and better outcomes for our patients. This is why multidisciplinary care matters—because together, we can catch these conditions early and change the trajectory of a patient’s life.”

Adds Dr. Compres-Brugal, “Our goal is always to act quickly, start the right therapy and support the patient every step of the way. Seeing someone go from being unable to walk to regaining independence is incredibly rewarding.”

Click here for more information about neuro-ophthalmology services and specialists at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute.